Immunization status and reasons for immunization delay among children using public health immunization clinics
B. Abbotts and L. M. Osborn
Valley Young People's Clinic, PS, Spokane.
OBJECTIVES--To determine whether children attending our local health
department clinics were being immunized in a timely manner, and to
investigate the reasons for children not being immunized on schedule.
DESIGN--Cross-sectional research design. SETTING--Five Salt Lake
City/County Health Department immunization clinics in Utah.
PARTICIPANTS--All patients presenting to the clinics for immunization from
November 1990 to March 1991 when minor illness is prevalent.
INTERVENTIONS--Data were gathered through interview and questionnaire.
MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS--Children were mostly white; they came from
two-parent households with reasonably high incomes and high parental
education level. Only four children were denied vaccination, all for
inappropriate timing. None were denied for illness. More than 75% had
postponed bringing their children in for immunization. The most common
reason given for delay was minor illness in the child. CONCLUSION--Even in
this "low-risk" population, parental misperception regarding immunizations
is a significant, contributing factor to low immunization rates. Public
educational programs directed at increasing parental knowledge must be
developed.
